Social, Cultural, and Political Background
The time period known as the Renaissance saw great cultural, scientific, and
economic resurgence in Europe. It was an era replete with inventors, explorers,
artists, politicians, scientists, and royal figures famous for their prolific
and ground-breaking achievements in almost every area of human endeavor.
Renaissance is a French term that means “rebirth.” In the context of the
Renaissance Period, the question is: rebirth of what? Notably, there was a
resurgence of interest regarding man's place in the world. In contrast to the
emphasis on the spirit and the Kingdom of God that had dominated the previous
thousand years, the Renaissance stressed individualism, humanism, and secular
values. Once again, it became possible to express complex human emotions, please
the senses, and enjoy life for its own sake. This period also saw the rebirth of
the classics with an emphasis on Ancient Greek and Roman art, literature, and
philosophy.
The Roman Catholic Church, while still a dominant presence in every aspect of
life, was nonetheless losing ground to new ideals of humanism. These ideals
brought about a movement against perceived abuses by the Church, and they
culminated in Martin Luther's Ninety-Five Theses of 1517, which he allegedly
nailed to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenburg, Germany. Historians
consider this act the catalyst for the Protestant Reformation, which established
Protestantism as a legitimate branch of Christianity.
In a comprehensive effort to respond to the Protestant Reformation, the Catholic
Church convened the Council of Trent (1545–1563), which marked the beginning of
a hundred-year movement known as the Counter-Reformation. The
Counter-Reformation is associated with an outpouring of exuberant sculpture,
architecture, painting, and music designed to promulgate and support the power
and doctrine of the Papacy in Rome and the Catholic Church.
Trade flourished during the Renaissance. Seaports, trade routes, and merchants
not only brought increased wealth, they also expanded the horizons of the world
in which people lived. The ability to travel with greater ease meant that the
arts could be enjoyed by more individuals. Musicians and writers began creating
works that they hoped would appeal to as wide an audience as possible. During
this period, secular art—and therefore secular music—flourished, as did the
novel concept of the artist as genius.
Major inventions such as movable type, the compass, and gunpowder literally
changed the physical and intellectual landscape of Europe. Gutenberg, Columbus,
Magellan, Copernicus,Shakespeare, Michelangelo, Botticelli, Martin Luther,
Charles V, Henry VIII, and Elizabeth I are but a few of the key figures who,
despite fierce challenges to their novel ideas, brought about major changes that
had enormous repercussions for centuries to come.
Queen Elizabeth I of England (1533-1603)
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Elizabeth I was born in 1533 to Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn (c.1507-1536). Known
as the Virgin Queen, she never married or had children. The last of the Tudors,
Elizabeth died at seventy years of age after a very successful forty-four-year
reign.
Elizabeth's reign is referred to as the Elizabethan era, or the Golden Age of
Elizabeth. English music is said to have reached its summit during this period;
it was the only time in history that English composers held such influence over
their European counterparts. William Byrd, John Dowland, John Taverner, Thomas
Morley, and Orlando Gibbons are a few of the English composers who flourished
under her patronage. Such was the influence of Queen Elizabeth that music from
this period is known as Elizabethan music.
William Shakespeare (1564-1616)
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William Shakespeare was an English poet and playwright widely regarded as the
greatest writer of the English language as well as the world's preeminent
dramatist. He wrote approximately 38 plays and 154 sonnets, as well as a variety
of other poems.
His plays and poems were popular during his lifetime and are celebrated and
adored to this day. Shakespeare's works have been translated into every major
language
Christopher Columbus (1451-1501)
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Christopher Columbus, wrongly credited with discovering the New World, was a
navigator and maritime explorer. Although associated with Spain—the sponsors for
his discovery voyage were the Catholic monarchs Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabella
I of Castile—he was actually born in Italy under the birth name Cristoforo
Colombo.
, and his plays are performed all around the world.
Johannes Gutenberg (c.1397-1468)
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Johannes Gutenberg was a German goldsmith and inventor. His major work, the
Gutenberg Bible (also known as the 42-line Bible), has been acclaimed for its
high aesthetic and technical quality.
Gutenberg's contributions include the design of movable type, the invention of a
process for making such type in quantity, the use of oil-based ink, and the use
of a wooden printing press similar to wine presses of the period.